Ninh Binh is a land rich in history and culture, with many famous relics and landscapes with 78 relics ranked at the National level. Are you planning to visit Ninh Binh but don’t know which places to go? Let Vietnam Reviewer act as your tour guide to take you to the beautiful places of this land!
Table of Contents
Top 12 most attractive destinations in Ninh Binh
Trang An Eco-tourism Area
Trang An eco-tourism area is a scenic complex that is likened to a “Ha Long Bay on land” with many caves, mountains, water valleys, forests, and historical relics located interspersed. In June 2014, Trang An eco-tourism area was honored to be recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural and natural heritage.
Trang An is a famous eco-tourism area of Ninh Binh province, located in Ninh Binh city and 3 districts of Hoa Lu, Nho Quan, and Gia Vien. With an area of more than 2,000 hectares, Trang An scenic complex is created by limestone mountains, magical caves, valleys, and rivers blending together, along with dozens of historical relics. – Culture includes temples, pagodas, and shrines, creating a rarely seen magical and lyrical space.
Unlike Tam Coc, Trang An can create a closed cross-water journey without having to turn back. The caves here are large, long, and constantly transformed by the effects of nature, making them very magical. This cave complex is likened to a bagua formation. The mountain ranges, valleys, and caves form a continuous formation that can be entered but cannot be exited unless one is knowledgeable about the local terrain.
Trang An has an extremely diverse system of limestone mountains and natural caves. At the foot of the limestone mountains, in many places, there are frogs, which are traces of the sea. That’s why the limestone mountain area of Hoa Lu – Ninh Binh is also called “Ha Long on land”. This feature creates a landscape of many low limestone mountain ranges, surrounding valleys with successive lakes, both majestic and poetic.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Historical Relic Site
The ancient capital of Hoa Lu is about 300 hectares wide, including the Ngoai Citadel, the Noi Citadel, and the Southern Citadel, surrounded by a series of arced rocky mountains, and majestic landscapes, the gaps between the mountain slopes are covered with brick-filled soil, The base is covered with bricks, built 8 – 10 meters high. Thanh Ngoai is about 140 hectares wide, located in Yen Thanh village, Truong Yen commune. This is the main palace where the Dinh and Le temple areas are the center and is also where King Dinh Tien Hoang raised the flag to build the country. In front of the palace, there is Ma Yen mountain. Legend has it that King Dinh took this place as a project.
The ancient Hoa Lu citadel consisted of two citadels located next to each other and an adjacent mountain area. Today, the image of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital is no longer intact but instead is the temple: King Dinh – King Le built right on the foundation of the ancient Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. The two temples are about 500m apart. Due to their close distance, tourists often call “Hoa Lu Ancient Capital” “Temple of King Dinh – King Le”.
Here, relics of the old palace foundation and some ancient ceramics were found. These precious artifacts are kept in the museum room on the left side of the temple area. Hoa Lu relic area also has some beautiful pagodas such as Ngan Xuyen Pagoda (near the foot of Ma Yen mountain), and Nhat Tru Pagoda (about 200 meters from King Le temple) attracting many tourists to offer incense and sightseeing.
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda is a spiritual landscape located in the Bai Dinh – Trang An eco-tourism complex with a history of more than 1000 years associated with the land of many feudal dynasties from the Dinh Dynasty, the Early Le Dynasty to The Ly Dynasty.
Bai Dinh Pagoda is a pagoda complex located on Bai Dinh mountain in Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district, 5 km northwest of Hoa Lu ancient capital, 12 km from Ninh Binh City. Bai Dinh Pagoda has a campus of 539 hectares, including 27 hectares of the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda area, and 80 hectares of the new Bai Dinh Pagoda area. This place is honored to welcome tens of thousands of Buddhists on pilgrimage every year.
Overall, Bai Dinh architecture is a standard feature for ancient pagoda architecture in Vietnam, especially the newly built pagoda area which has massive structures. The roof of the main pagoda is extremely beautiful, consisting of 3 floors and 12 curved knife-head-shaped roofs, covered with traditional funny nose-shaped tiles. The additional steps are decorated with stone dragons in the style of the Ly Dynasty, and the large stone yard looks straight down to the jade well.
Around the corridor of the Arhat statue, it runs long and covers the temple grounds. In the temple, there are also small gardens planted with green trees. The most planted tree in the temple is the Bodhi tree grown in temples in India. The space of Bai Dinh Pagoda is extremely pure and airy, an ideal place for Buddhist monks and nuns to worship and practice.
With its unique architecture and long history, Bai Dinh Pagoda has become a famous ecological and spiritual tourist destination in the North in general and Ninh Binh in particular. There have been 8 Vietnamese and Asian records recorded at Bai Dinh Pagoda such as the largest bronze bell in Vietnam, the tallest and heaviest Shakyamuni Buddha statue in Asia, the largest set of gilded bronze statues of the Three Worlds in Vietnam, The largest bronze Maitreya Buddha statue in Southeast Asia, the pagoda has the largest Arhat corridor in Vietnam, the pagoda has the most Bodhi trees in Vietnam…
Tam Coc – Bich Dong Tourist Area
Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area currently has a natural area of 350.3 hectares, located 2 km from National Highway 1A, 7 km from Ninh Binh City, mainly located in Ninh Hai commune (Hoa Lu). Just like Trang An, to visit Tam Coc, visitors must go by boat down the romantic Ngo Dong River with clear water to get there to admire the 3 caves in turn. Tam Coc’s scenery stands out because of the harmonious combination of rocks and water. The mountains here have diverse shapes, one after another, one after another.
Tam Coc, meaning “three caves”, includes Ca Cave, Hai Cave, and Ba Cave. All three caves are created by the Ngo Dong River piercing through the mountain. Tam Coc is the first cruise line operated in the Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area.
You can go to Bich Dong Pagoda, which is an ancient pagoda attached to a rocky mountain with a strong Asian style. The pagoda was built at the beginning of the Later Le Dynasty. In the pagoda there is a large bell cast during the reign of King Le Thai To, and the tower tombs of monks who contributed to building the pagoda. During the reign of Le Hien Tong, the pagoda was restored and expanded, including the Lower Pagoda, Middle Pagoda, and Upper Pagoda, spread out over three mountain floors.
Thung Nham Ecotourism Area
Thung Nham eco-tourism area is one of the tourist destinations in the core area of the Trang An World Heritage Complex. The tourist area is operated by Doanh Sinh Trading Service & Tourism Joint Stock Company. This tourist area is located in Hai Nham Hill with the main highlight being the natural bird garden and typical cave tourist attractions such as Vai Gioi Cave, Tien Ca Cave, Thuy Cung Cave, and But Cave,…
The first impression for visitors when arriving in Thung Nham is a blend of mountains, water, clouds, and sky. Thung Nham is surrounded by limestone mountains covered with the green color of tropical forests. On these autumn days, a layer of fog covers when the sun has not yet shone, bringing to Thung Nham a magical beauty like paradise.
Coming to the Thung Nham integrated eco-tourism area, visitors can organize traditional boating, swan boats, and sailboats… along with accommodation on the scenic lake, mountain climbing tours, visits to ecological forests, Visit caves, and gardens, visit primeval forests.
Perhaps the characteristic feature when traveling to Ninh Binh is the peaceful scenery of each group of boats slowly carrying tourists. And Thung Nham is no exception to that general picture. On the blue water surrounding the foot of the limestone mountain, the bamboo boat will take you for a walk in the land of birds.
Phat Diem Stone Cathedral
Phat Diem Cathedral (often called Phat Diem Stone Cathedral) is a Catholic church complex of about 22 hectares, located in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province, about 120 km from Hanoi. southward.
Currently, Ninh Binh province and Japanese researchers are completing documents on the architecture of Phat Diem church to request UNESCO to recognize Phat Diem church as a world cultural heritage. Phat Diem Stone Cathedral is rated by the press as one of the most beautiful churches in Vietnam, considered the “Catholic capital” of Vietnam.
This is a large project, the cathedral of the large Phat Diem diocese in northern Vietnam. The church was built entirely of stone and wood. Phat Diem Cathedral was started in 1875 and by 1898 it was basically completed. The unique feature of this project is that although it is a Catholic church, it is modeled after the architectural features of traditional Vietnamese temples and pagodas. This architectural complex was gradually built by Father Peter Tran Luc (also known as Mr. Sau) – a priest in Phat Diem diocese since 1865) and Catholic parishioners for more than 30 years.
After more than 100 years of existence, despite many impacts from natural disasters and wars, the building is still quite sturdy and has been preserved in its original state until today. The architectural complex of Phat Diem Cathedral was ranked as a national historical and cultural relic in 1988. Ninh Binh Province and relevant agencies are completing a dossier to request UNESCO to recognize Phat Diem Cathedral as a heritage site of world culture
Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park has an area of 25,000 hectares and is Vietnam’s first national forest. Cuc Phuong’s characteristics are tropical rainforests, green all year round, and extremely rich and diverse flora and fauna. Many species of plants and animals at high risk of extinction have been discovered and preserved here, notably the black-and-white langur, considered the symbol of the Cuc Phuong forest.
The best time to go to Cuc Phuong National Park is during the dry season (from December to May), at this time the weather in the forest is very cool. Especially coming to Cuc Phuong National Park in May is the time when butterflies in Cuc Phuong forest bloom the most. With a number of individuals that can reach millions of animals racing together to overwhelm the sky, this place looks like a beautiful “butterfly forest” like in a fairyland.
This national park has a rich and diverse flora and fauna characterized by tropical rainforests. Many species of animals and plants at high risk of extinction are discovered and preserved here. This is also the first national park in Vietnam. Cuc Phuong National Park is a famous tourist destination for ecology and environment. Cuc Phuong attracts several hundred thousand visitors every year. Tourists come here to explore the rich flora and fauna, admire the beautiful natural landscape, and participate in ecotourism, relaxation, campfire, adventure, research, and cultural and historical programs.
With many values of natural landscape, ecosystem diversity, and cultural and historical values, Cuc Phuong has long become a famous and attractive ecotourism destination.
Hang Mua
Hang Mua is located at the foot of Mua Mountain, a tourist destination in the tourist complex of Khe Dau Ha village, Ninh Xuan commune. Although not as famous as many other scenic spots in Ninh Binh, Mua Cave wins a lot of love from tourists because of its beautiful natural scenery as well as the space here without crowding or hustle and bustle.
Mua Cave is not impressed by the mystery like other caves, but rather by its beautiful natural scenery. Standing from the top of Mua Mountain, you will be able to fully admire the beauty of ripe rice fields stretching across the vast landscape. Tam Coc. From the foot of the mountain, you can clearly see the stairs extending to the top of the mountain, looking like a miniature Great Wall.
You should go to Ninh Binh, especially Hang Mua, during the ripe rice season, which is the most beautiful time, which is also the transition from May to June. This is also the time when Ninh Binh has quite beautiful weather and bright sunshine. The weather is also cool, suitable for climbing mountains as well as enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Van Long lagoon
A charming eco-tourism area with beautiful water and romantic clouds and sky that is no less famous than the Tam Coc- – Bich Dong scenic spot is Van Long Lagoon. Van Long Lagoon has an area of 3,000 hectares and is the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern Delta. Van Long Lagoon possesses charming mountains, romantic clouds, and sky, and is the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern Delta.
When taking a boat trip on the lagoon, visitors will see with their own eyes the water surface as flat as a giant mirror, the reason this place is called “the bay without waves”. Going down the small boat, you will be surrounded by a vast swamp of water, birds, langurs, and limestone mountains with shapes true to their names such as Meo Cao Mountain, Mam Xoi Mountain, Hom Book Mountain, and Co Tien Mountain. … And you can also explore unique caves with multi-shaped stalactites. Limestone mountains and caves of many different shapes are home to many animals.
With a diverse ecosystem and vegetation, Van Long Lagoon in Ninh Binh is always an ideal destination at any time of the year. However, Ninh Binh’s travel experience says that if you want to admire the lotus season, remember to go in the summer, from May to June. The space is covered in a pink color, so you will definitely have a “living” photo set. “virtual” is very pretty.
Am Tien Cave – “Tuyet Tinh Coc in Ninh Binh”
As a national monument located in the Hoa Lu national monument complex, Am Tien Cave is a destination that tourists cannot miss if they want to enjoy the peaceful and poetic natural scenery. Because of its wild beauty, completely separate from the outside world, this place is also called “Tuyet Tinh Coc” by young people.
Located at an altitude of more than 500m above sea level, the climate in Am Tien is cool all year round. Both sides of the road leading to the tourist area are covered with the green color of ancient mother-of-pearl trees, making the space even more wild but majestic and majestic. With rugged terrain in the depths of the mountains and a valley with few visitors, Am Tien cave still holds many mysteries. The landscape here is majestic and poetic but has a sad and mysterious color as if it still retains the remnants of the old execution ground. Most of the area in Am Tien cave is a flooded valley, the terrain is special as it is surrounded by rocky cliffs.
If tourists come to Ninh Binh and want to enjoy the peaceful and poetic natural scenery, they should come to Am Tien Cave. Because of its wild beauty and complete separation from the outside world, this place is also compared to “Tuyet Tinh Coc” by young people. Everything here has a slightly sad tone, tinged with time and beautiful scenery. This place will bring visitors different feelings compared to other landscapes in Ninh Binh. Tickets to visit Am Tien cave are 20,000 VND/person. Although it is a tourist destination in Ninh Binh, Am Tien Cave is tinged with sad times, with beautiful scenery like a fairyland, giving visitors a feeling different from other landscapes in Ninh Binh.
Kenh Ga Hot Mineral Spring
Kenh Ga Hot Springs is a hot spring in Kenh Ga village, Gia Thinh commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province, Vietnam. The stream flows from Kenh Ga mountain in Kenh Ga floating village and flows into the Hoang Long River branch. This is a famous mineral water spring, which has been included in the Top 5 most attractive hot spring tourist areas in Vietnam by the Vietnam Record Book Center. Kenh Ga junction is where the Boi and Lang rivers join the Hoang Long River. This place is called Vong Am because the river water is always warm, where many species of fish and underwater creatures gather.
The hot water flowing from the mountain is clear and gurgling continuously. For a long time, people here have often taken spring water to drink for healing purposes. According to research, Kenh Ga spring water contains a lot of Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Calcium, Magnesium Chloride, and Bicarbonate salt which are extremely good for health. The temperature of the stream is about 53 degrees Celsius. If you are at the stream in the morning you will feel the dense fog. The fresh air, adorned with the sound of birds singing, makes visitors’ spirits even more refreshed to start a new day full of energy.
Coming here, visitors can bathe in hot water pools with a temperature of about 40 degrees Celsius, cold water pools at 26 degrees Celsius, and medicinal bathing areas. Additional services: massage, karaoke service, campfire, gala dinner, dancing,… You can rest assured that the resort includes accommodation and accommodation, so you just need to decide to pack your bags and let’s go!
Van Trinh Cave
Van Trinh Cave is a large cave, along with Thien Ha Cave, Tien Ca Cave, and Vai Gioi Cave are the most beautiful caves in Ninh Binh. The cave is located in Mo Mountain, Thuong Hoa commune, Nho Quan district. Along with the Kenh Ga hot spring, Van Trinh Cave has been included in the planning of construction and exploitation of the Kenh Ga – Van Trinh tourist area by the Ninh Binh Tourism industry.
The cave is located in a mountain over a hundred meters high. The entrance to the cave is halfway up the mountain, about 40 meters above the ground. Tourists following the tour to visit the cave will go by boat from Hoang Long River wharf. From Ninh Binh City, you can go to the cave along Trang An Avenue from Ky Lan Lake through the Trang An eco-tourism area, Bai Dinh Pagoda extending to the cave.
The area of Van Trinh cave is very large, about over 4000 m². The highest point of the cave is over 100 m, under the arch are layers of iridescent, colorful stalactites hanging down like a shimmering, splendid stone curtain, the floor of the cave has many unique patterns. Deep inside the cave is the Dragon well with water flowing from the bottom up. In the cave, there are many sparkling stalactites with many different shapes and colors.
The air in the cave is relatively cool and pleasant. Around the cave are artistic reliefs made of stalactites with all kinds of images of people, fairies, mothers holding babies, plants, animals such as calves, eagles, tigers, turtles, and large and small stones. Messages look like duck eggs, chicken eggs, marbles, beans… There are many stone blocks that look like bodyguards, actors dancing and singing, scenes of the king holding court,…
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Ninh Binh is a land rich in cultural tourism potential because it was once the capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, where the three dynasties of Dinh-Le-Ly were founded, the evidence left behind is a series of temples, pagodas, and communal houses. monuments, and historical relics. Hopefully, through the above tourist destinations, you will understand more about the country and people of Ninh Binh: so beautiful, so harmonious and so poetic. If you have any feedback or need help, please send an email to vietnamreviewer.contact@gmail.com!
